Swelling and Bruising After a Car Accident Injury

Q: Swelling and Bruising After a Car Accident Injury

Hello： This is usually due to a tear in the subcutaneous or muscular layers, resulting in damage to blood vessels or lymphatic vessels. <br>Simple aspiration may not guarantee resolution of this issue; therefore, if there is repeated accumulation of a large volume of fluid, surgi

Swelling of the knee and lower leg due to a car accident?

Hello Dr.
Huang, my mother was in a car accident this year, and her left calf was forcefully struck by a car tire, resulting in severe contusions.
She was examined at the hospital (X-ray imaging), and there were no fractures or breaks in the left knee joint, calf bones, or ankle bones.
However, there is significant swelling in the left knee and calf, along with severe bruising around the left thigh, calf, and joints.
On the first and second days, the doctor advised ice therapy to allow the swelling to subside on its own.
Later, my mother used her fingers to gently press on the swollen area and felt a fluid sensation inside.
Therefore, on the third day, she returned to the doctor, who performed an ultrasound and used a syringe to aspirate the hematoma from the knee and calf (the extracted blood was dark red-brown in color), approximately 7-8 syringes worth.
That day, my mother felt some reduction in swelling in the knee and calf, but the next morning, she woke up to find the calf still feeling swollen.
She consulted the doctor again, who found limited areas to insert the syringe for aspiration but eventually located one and extracted about 3-4 syringes of fluid (this time the fluid was a light pink color, not bright red like blood).
However, the next morning, she still felt swelling in the calf.
Concerned, she consulted the doctor again, who used a syringe to extract another 7-8 syringes of fluid (the color remained a light pink).
This process of aspiration has been repeated several times.
I find this situation puzzling and would like to ask Dr.
Huang:
1.
If the hematoma has already been aspirated, is it normal to experience swelling again the next day and be able to extract more fluid (light pink in color) during the recovery process?
2.
What could be the reason for the swelling to recur and for more fluid to be aspirated the day after the initial aspiration?
3.
If the fluid extracted is light pink, should we continue with aspiration treatment if the calf still feels swollen the next day, or should we allow it to resolve naturally?
4.
Given the current situation, what would be the best approach for further treatment?
I apologize for interrupting you during your busy schedule and sincerely thank you for your assistance.

Lin Xiansheng, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2010/05/22

Dr. Huang Junxiong reply Surgery

Hello: This is usually due to a tear in the subcutaneous or muscular layers, resulting in damage to blood vessels or lymphatic vessels.
Simple aspiration may not guarantee resolution of this issue; therefore, if there is repeated accumulation of a large volume of fluid, surgical intervention should be considered.
It is recommended to consult with a plastic surgeon or a trauma surgeon for diagnosis and treatment.

Reply Date: 2010/05/22

More Info

Hello, thank you for reaching out with your concerns regarding your mother's condition following her car accident. It sounds like she has been through a lot, and I appreciate the detailed description of her symptoms and the treatments she has received so far. I will address your questions one by one.

1. Is it normal to experience swelling and the ability to extract fluid again after the hematoma has been drained?
Yes, it can be a normal part of the healing process. When there is significant trauma, such as a car accident, the body responds with inflammation, which can lead to swelling. Even after the hematoma is drained, the body may continue to produce fluid as part of the healing process. This fluid can accumulate again, leading to further swelling. The presence of a pinkish fluid indicates that it may be serous fluid mixed with blood, which is common in cases of soft tissue injury.

2. What causes the re-accumulation of fluid after drainage?
The re-accumulation of fluid can occur due to several factors. First, the body may still be in the inflammatory phase of healing, which can lead to the production of excess fluid. Second, if there is ongoing bleeding from small blood vessels that were damaged during the injury, this can contribute to the accumulation of fluid. Additionally, if the area is not immobilized or if there is excessive movement, it can exacerbate swelling.

3. Should further drainage be performed if the fluid is still accumulating?
This decision should be made by a healthcare professional based on a thorough examination. If the swelling is significant and causing discomfort, further drainage may be warranted. However, if the swelling is gradually decreasing and the patient is not experiencing severe pain or functional impairment, it may be better to allow the body to reabsorb the fluid naturally. Continuous drainage can sometimes lead to complications, such as infection or damage to surrounding tissues.

4. What would be the best course of treatment moving forward?
The treatment plan should focus on managing pain and reducing swelling. Here are some general recommendations:
- Rest and Elevation: Encourage your mother to keep her leg elevated above the level of her heart to help reduce swelling.

- Ice Therapy: Applying ice packs to the swollen areas for 15-20 minutes several times a day can help reduce inflammation and pain.

- Compression: Using a compression bandage can also help manage swelling, but it should not be too tight to avoid restricting blood flow.

- Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help manage pain and inflammation.

- Physical Therapy: Once the acute swelling has decreased, physical therapy may be beneficial to restore range of motion and strength in the affected leg.

- Follow-Up Care: Regular follow-ups with her healthcare provider are essential to monitor her progress and adjust the treatment plan as necessary.

In conclusion, while the symptoms your mother is experiencing can be concerning, they are not uncommon following a significant injury. It is crucial to maintain open communication with her healthcare provider to ensure that she receives the appropriate care and monitoring. If there are any signs of infection (such as increased redness, warmth, or fever), or if her symptoms worsen, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. Thank you for your thoughtful questions, and I wish your mother a smooth and speedy recovery.

Similar Q&A

Managing Swelling and Bruising After a Car Accident: A Guide

On the evening of February 27, a car accident occurred, resulting in a collision with a utility pole. The emergency diagnosis indicated a concussion, with significant hematomas on the left posterior region of the brain and the left forehead. After the first day of ice application...

Dr. Zhao Shaoqing reply Neurosurgery
Hello: It is common to experience localized hematoma and bruising at the site of head trauma a few days after the injury. If you experience any loss of consciousness or weakness in your limbs, you can apply ice packs for the first three days, followed by heat therapy after that. ...

Persistent Pain and Swelling After Car Accident Bruise: When to Seek Medical Help?

Hello doctor, I would like to ask about an injury. I was in a car accident and sustained a large bruise on the outer side of my left calf. Although the bruise has healed for a year, I still experience pain and swelling whenever I accidentally bump or hit it. Would you recommend t...

Dr. Li Zhonghuai reply Surgery
Hello! Please go directly to the hospital for an ultrasound. Take care! Changhua Hospital is concerned about you!

Understanding Bruising After an Accident: When to Seek Medical Advice

Hello Dr. Lee, I have a question for you. After a car accident, I have a bruise on my ankle. It has been about ten days, and there is still noticeable swelling and significant pain. Could you please explain what this situation might be? What would be the appropriate way to manage...

Dr. Li Zhonghuai reply Surgery
Hello! If there are no fractures and it's just a simple bruise, it's relatively easy to manage. Elevate the leg to allow the blood clot to be absorbed naturally; only if it hasn't been absorbed after a few months should you consider debridement. If there is a fract...

Knee Bruising and Pain After Car Accident: What You Need to Know

I had a car accident around August, and my knee was injured. At that time, there were surface abrasions and bruising. The abrasions healed, but the bruise has turned dark and has not improved since then. Additionally, my knee is very painful even with slight contact. There was on...

Dr. Shi Guozheng reply Orthopedics
Knee joint contusions typically result in bruising that resolves in about four weeks. If there is a larger accumulation of blood, the resolution time may be longer. Pain may be due to incomplete tissue healing. Applying heat can be beneficial; however, if there are concerns about...